title: The supraclavicular flap for reconstruction of post-burn mentosternal contractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The thin and pliable skin of the neck is a region with multidirectional activity, and postburn scar contractures tend to form there easily. The supraclavicular flap is used to correct neck scar contractures. Its main vascular supply is the supraclavicular artery, and it can be harvested as either a skin pedicle flap or an island flap (vascular pedicle flap).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this article, a total of 41 flaps are studied retrospectively and their efficacy in reconstruction of post-burn neck scar contractures is discussed. Also donor-site morbidity, patient satisfaction, and complications were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November of 2004 and January of 2009, 41 supraclavicular flaps were used for reconstructions in 32 patients at the authors' hospital. Twenty-four of these flaps were skin pedicle flaps, and 17 were island flaps. The range of flap size was 18 ± 6 cm in length, and 9 ± 3 cm in width. Pre-expansion was performed in 14 flaps. Primary closure of donor site was performed in 35 flaps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven of the 41 flaps survived completely, but there were three cases of distal necrosis (10-30%), and one case of complete flap necrosis. Twenty-nine of the 32 patients were satisfied with both the functional and aesthetic results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scarring of the neck produces problems with function, and appearance. In our view, the supraclavicular flap, a thin flap of good texture, is an excellent and highly reliable flap for covering defects of the anterior neck. This flap is easy to harvest, with good functional and aesthetic results.
authors.affiliation: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Shahriar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loghmani
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eidy
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loghmani
authors.forename: Fahimeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raigan
keywords: Contracture; Surgical Flap